H.S. BOYS BASKETBALL: B-R is thinking big

The Trojans are coming off their best season under coach Doug Alves since he took over the program for the 2014-15 campaign.

Greg Dudek, Enterprise Correspondent

BRIDGEWATER – There is good reason for Bridgewater-Raynham Regional High boys basketball head coach Doug Alves to be optimistic.

After all, the Trojans are coming off their best season under Alves since he took over the program in the 2014-15 season.

B-R gained vital experience with a run to the Division 1 South Sectional semifinals last season, and the Trojans hope to build off that success this season with some key pieces returning.

“I’m expecting a lot after last season,” said Alves, who is 36-28 at the helm of the Trojans. “That was a lot of fun going a few rounds into the tournament. The good thing is a lot of these guys were around to see that. They want that and more.”

After wins over Attleboro and Catholic Memorial in the tournament, B-R’s season came to end with a 43-39 loss to Mansfield to finish with a mark of 17-6.

Going through the rigors of postseason play should bode well for this season’s Trojans as well as the familiarity with Alves’ up-tempo system, which is now in place for a fourth season.

“It’s really easy now, everything comes natural,” said Alves’ son and starting point guard for a fourth season, senior Doug Alves. “We really don’t want to slow it down when we’re on offense. We try to push it every time. In the (offensive) sets, everybody is real comfortable now.”

However, the new-found confidence alone will not be enough for another successful campaign, which starts at home on Dec. 12 against Whitman-Hanson. B-R has some holes to fill, most notably the void left by last year’s star forward, E.J. Dambreville, who averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds.

John Tesson and Griffin Perry were key contributors who graduated along with six others.

Shouldering more of the load will be Alves at the point guard spot, as he is coming off an All-Scholastic season in which he averaged 14 points, seven assists and three steals.

“Him playing at the point guard position since he was a freshman, last year and this year were the years we were building up to and it started paying off last year,” said coach Alves. “He’s really ready to embrace that role of being a leader on the team and producing like we need him to.”

Darrius Hyppolite had a breakout junior season coming off the bench mixed in with some starts, and much more will be expected of him in his senior campaign with a boost in minutes.

Senior Tony Fernandes will be a key figure as he anchors the post for the Trojans, while classmate Sam Brown is a threat playing on the wing. Junior Connor Rubenskas will see his role expanded as he brings with him a steady perimeter game.

The pieces of the puzzle will have to mesh together quickly, though, if the Trojans are to make a fourth consecutive postseason appearance.

“These guys, it’s what they know,” said coach Alves of making the tournament. “I feel like they expect to win.”

While the confidence level is high for the Trojans, there are still enough question marks surrounding the team after several key departures.

But B-R is ready to display that it has the answers to duplicate last year’s results, even if it has to catch opponents napping.

“People are thinking that we’re not going to be as good as last year because we lost E.J. and we had a lot of seniors starting,” said the younger Alves. “I’m really telling everybody that they’re sleeping on us. We’re going to be good again. We’re ready to make this run.”